Capita expands into ‘simulation’ training

Capita has acquired the G2G3 Group Limited (‘G2G3’) which specialises in designing immersive simulations, virtual environments and organisational change management programmes for corporations in the UK and overseas.

The application of game dynamics and game thinking to non-game activities is a rapidly-growing method for training employees. It can be used in both the corporate environment, for example to educate employees about industry best practices, and to simulate life events and adapt behaviours.

Andy Parker, Capita plc’s joint chief operating officer, said: “The acquisition will add value to the range of services we are supplying to the justice and emergency services sector, particularly since the acquisition of the Fire Service College. G2G3’s expertise will allow us to simulate a large fire, a riot, a nuclear emergency or a terrorist attack, as part of the training we provide to senior police, ambulance and fire officers. But ‘gamification’ also has much wider applications in making training in more traditional disciplines, like project and IT management, more engaging and effective.”

G2G3, acquired for an undisclosed sum, has developed simulations for some of the world’s leading IT services management organisations, including HP, IBM and Microsoft.

It will become part of Capita’s justice and secure services division, continuing to develop simulations for global corporations as well as for the police, emergency services, justice, security, nuclear and oil and gas industries.

Earlier this month, Capita and the Home Office launched an ‘overstayers’ pilot that will remind those whose permission to stay in the UK is due to expire that they must either apply for further leave, or depart from the UK.

As part of the pilot, project partner Capita will make contact with a randomly-selected sample group of migrants whose leave to remain in the UK will expire in June 2013. These migrants will receive a letter, email or SMS reminding them to either apply for further leave to remain in the UK, or to make plans to depart before their permission to stay expires.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We will continue to work closely with Capita to ensure information provided is accurate. If we receive evidence to show that an individual’s leave is not due to expire in the next two months, they have already applied to extend their leave, or they have left the UK, we will update our records.”

Capita signed the ‘overstayers’ contract with UK Border Agency (UKBA) last October, worth around £30 million over four years.

The contract affects foreign nationals who have typically entered the UK on valid student or work visas but have subsequently been refused extensions and have either not left the UK or their return has not been tracked.

Enforcement action will be taken against those who refuse to leave the UK voluntarily.